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How it all came about

Blick was formed in 2007 by a group of young creatives who wanted to come together to create a great workspace for creatives in Belfast. Our ambition was to create beautiful but affordable spaces for creatives to work in. Spaces for like-minded creatives to meet and share resources, ideas and inspiration. Spaces to build a sense of community and encourage, support and inspire each other. As the idea grew and evolved, Christine took over managing Blick while others in the group focused on their own creative businesses. Christine’s sister Rosy came on board as a volunteer initially to manage the financial side of the organisation. Together they have been managing Blick since 2007.

Blick provides fully serviced shared workspace and private studio space to more than 65 creatives across 3 different locations within Belfast in Northern Ireland. Blick also provides virtual office services, meeting and event spaces and runs different events, workshops and projects to help build community and support creatives in Belfast.

You can see more of our story below and find our more about our aims & values, our impact and our projects.

Currently

We have been working hard to rebuild following the pandemic and have updated the studios. We have some lovely new photos and have refreshed our website with new useful content for creatives in Belfast. In collaboration with Creating A Space, we recently created Our Time is Now, a video podcast series sharing the stories of 5 Belfast Creatives. You can find out more abour Our Time is Now below.

We are working with Belfast Design Week and VentureFolk on a new project combining design and growing to explore the potential for supporting residents to grow their own food within the urban environments of Botanic and the Holylands in Belfast.

We have also planned a new program of Summer events and workshops for Belfast creatives. We have exciting things planned for the future and are looking forward to continuing our different creative adventures and projects and supporting creatives in Belfast.

 

Our Time is Now
Esther Mogada and Macy Stewart Our Time is Now Video Podcast
2021

In 2021 we finished our Womenfolk Dig Deep Programme supporting 27 young creative women on their journey to start their own creative businesses with weekly resources including 10 industry expert videos on topics including A DIY Guide on Creating Your Own Brand, A DIY Guide on Setting up a Website A DIY Guide on Instagram and A DIY Guide on Photographing Your Work for the broader creative community.

We also worked with Belfast Design Week to launch My Block, a directory to celebrate and champion independent business and culture in Northern Ireland.

Womenfolk Dig Deep Participant Sarah Cathers
2020

In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic closed our studios for three months. It also gave us the opportunity to run a creative enterprise programme for young women called Dig Deep which supported 27 young women over a 9-month period to start their own creative businesses.

We hosted a podcast series on the impact of the pandemic on creatives and also expanded our Popup Design Museum during Belfast Design Week. Exhibiting design work by local designers in the windows of independent venues throughout Belfast City Centre to create an interactive but covid safe activity for the public.

Belfast Design Week Billboard
2018

In 2018 we launched our sister company, creative consultancy Flock, to bring together the creatives involved with Blick to work on different multidisciplinary creative projects.

Flock Creative Consulting
2017

In 2017 we set up a new venture called Womenfolk to celebrate and promote women creative entrepreneurs.

We were excited to be involved again with Belfast Design Week in its 3rd year & new design events such as Late Night Design.

We moved from 52 Hill Street to Cotton Court in the Cathedral Quarter – a building full of creative companies.

2016

Supporting more creatives

Increased income from growing our organisation gave us the opportunity to expand the free support we provide for creative entrepreneurs, including:

  • Blick Academy for Creative Startups
  • Share 6 inspirational talks for creative entrepreneurs
  • 25 Pop-Up
  • The Faculty workshops and courses
  • Creative Business Bootcamp
  • Belfast Design Week
  • Graduate residency programme
Networking Event for Creatives
2015

Growing more

We opened Eighty81 Creative Workspace in Derry-Londonderry, providing workspace for 18 businesses as well as the Nest incubation program, creative events and support.

In Belfast, there was a growing market for our services, so we opened a second set of premises in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, providing workspace for an additional 18 businesses.

2015 was the year of Irish Design, and we secured funding to run a variety of design events and co-founded Belfast Design Week.

2015 Belfast Design Week Launch
2014

Expanding to the North West

We secured a 3-year contract to manage the creative hub in Ebrington in Derry/Londonderry to provide incubation space, workspace and events and support for the creative industries within the city.

We developed the brand and concept for Eighty81 Creative Workspace on behalf of Ilex Urban Regeneration.

Eighty81 Creative Workspace Ebrington
2012

Growing Blick

We moved into our first Cathedral Quarter premises allowing us to provide space for an additional 15 businesses.

With the premises being so close to Ulster University, we were able to connect more with students and startups and build our existing creative community through meetups and events.

Blick Shared Studios Hill Street
2010

Creative events

From 2008 – 2010 we ran a variety of events and courses to support small and startup creative businesses within Belfast, including Blick Business Blitz and the Evolve Programme.

We saw a need to create more interactive and engaging enterprise events and set up Creative Camp Belfast – an interactive un-conference style event designed to connect local creative entrepreneurs and encourage them to share their stories and speak on various topics.

Networking event for creatives at the Black Box Belfast
2008

Moving into Malone

With support from Ulster University and Belfast City Council we moved into our first permanent space at 51 Malone Road.

We focused on becoming independently sustainable by renting our studio spaces, event spaces and offering virtual services. By the end of 2008, we provided space to 15 different creative businesses.

Blick Shared Studios Malone Road
2007

By Creatives, for Creatives

Blick was set up by a group of creative entrepreneurs struggling to find suitable creative studio space in Belfast.

Our first studio was a rented warehouse in the City Centre which we set up with the help of £5,000 from UnLtd.

Plant in Blick Shared Studios Hill Street

Stay in the

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Here's a reminder of some of our favourite bits from our recent Summer Meet on the theme ‘Courage’ with two brilliant local creatives sharing their stories. Caroline McHugh owner of @littlefoxbelfast and Kerrie McNeill @_kerrieillustrates_ designer and illustrator.

We also have a full blog with all our insights on our website (link in profile)
Absolutely gorgeous light in our Malone studios as I was leaving this evening. Hope everyone is enjoying this last bit of the summer ☀️
Happy Monday, and the sun 🌞 has come back. Proper back to school weather! A lovely bright start to a new week and new season full of potential and possibilities. The perfect reset ✨️
Well it certainly feels like September, what a miserable day, but the Cathedral Quarter is still buzzing, Happy Friday and last weekend of the Summer holidays, back to school and winter routine properly from next week!
BLICK BUSINESS ADDRESS SERVICE FOR CREATIVES

We offer affordable business address services for creative businesses. Whether you are just starting out and can’t yet afford workspace or are happy to work from home but seeking a professional public image for your business.

We have two premises to choose from: our South Belfast address at 51 Malone Road, BT9 6RY or our City Centre Cathedral Quarter address 46 Hill Street, BT1 2LB.

We offer both monthly and weekly redirection services with prices from £22.50 per calendar month (to be paid quarterly in advance)

For more info get in touch or visit our website link in profile
Courage is the theme for our Summer Meet tomorrow night, where we hear from 2 great local creatives. Caroline Baker, owner of Little Fox Events and Kerrie McNeill illustrator and designer who will each share their creative journeys so far and stories of courage on starting out and navigating challeges they have faced along the way.

If you would like to join us tomorrow evening, you can get your ticket via our website (link in profile)
Courage is the theme of our Summer Meet this Wednesday evening. It takes courage to put yourself out there, to take a risk and start something new.

Join us this Wednesday to hear 2 local creatives sharing their stories of courage at our summer get-together which will be followed with the opportunity to catch up and connect with other local creatives in a relaxed and informal setting.

Speaker 1: Illustrator and Designer Kerrie McNeill

Kerrie McNeill is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Northern Ireland. Through combining digital and traditional drawing, Kerrie creates playful, vibrant and light-hearted illustrations inspired by nature, people, places, objects and everyday life.

Speaker 2: Caroline McHugh Little Fox Events

Since she set up her company, Little Fox Events, three years ago, Caroline has built a reputation for delivering bespoke events in Northern Ireland. Her track record includes the monthly uber-cool East Block Bazaar, Belfast Flea Market, plus bespoke markets in St Anne’s Cathedral, Hillsborough Castle, 2 Royal Avenue, The Black Box and Common Market.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 23rd August 2023
Time: 8.00-9.30pm
Venue: Blick Shared Studios, 51 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RY
Cost: Free

https://www.blickstudios.org/events/blick-summer-meet/
Early Friday morning in a rather gloomy Cathedral Quarter, at least the weekend is in sight!
1 week to go until our summer get-together next Wednesday evening at 8pm in our Malone studios. Join us for a drink and chat and the chance to hear 2 amazing local creatives sharing their stories!

Theme: Courage

Having the courage to start something. It always takes courage to start something. To do things differently and follow your own path. In the current climate of financial uncertainty it takes even more courage to go for it and follow your dreams. In our first proper in-person event since 2020, in this period of uncertainty and rebuilding, ‘Courage’ seemed the perfect theme to pick to inspire us all to stay motivated, have the confidence to put ourselves out there and keep going. We have invited 2 local speakers to be announced shortly to share their stories of courage at our summer get-together which will be followed with the opportunity to catch up and connect with other local creatives in a relaxed and informal setting.

Speaker 1: Illustrator and Designer Kerrie McNeill

Kerrie McNeill is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Northern Ireland. Through combining digital and traditional drawing, Kerrie creates playful, vibrant and light-hearted illustrations inspired by nature, people, places, objects and everyday life.

Speaker 2: Caroline McHugh Little Fox Events

Since she set up her company, Little Fox Events, three years ago, Caroline has built a reputation for delivering bespoke events in Northern Ireland. Her track record includes the monthly uber-cool East Block Bazaar, Belfast Flea Market, plus bespoke markets in St Anne’s Cathedral, Hillsborough Castle, 2 Royal Avenue, The Black Box and Common Market. Her newest venture is East Block Fashion a unique sustainable fashion experience showcasing the best in fashion designers and makers from north to south.

Book your ticket through the link in our profile
Coming up next week for anyone involved in running a Creative Hub in NI

** CREATIVE HUBS MEETUP **

A get-together for Creative Hubs from NI to come together to share ideas and information, support each other and potentially come together to work on larger scale projects.

The details

Date: Wednesday 23rd August

Time: 11am – 1pm

Location: Blick Shared Studios, 51 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RY

Booking details and more info on our website (link in profile)
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